Water Heater Economic Comparison Calculator

This calculator is designed to provide a side-by-side economic comparison of different water heater units.

The default values below are based on national average data, but you can input your estimated daily water use in gallons, along with your fuel prices, then select the types of water heaters you’re interested in from the drop-down menus and enter the estimated installed costs of the units (this information can usually be obtained by talking with a contractor).

If you’re not sure what your typical daily hot water use is, here are some general guidelines you can use to come up with an estimate:

Notes: Life-cycle costs include both up-front costs and expected annual fuel costs over the life of the water heater.
Calculator notes: Energy factor values come from Energy Star’s final criteria analysis for water heaters. Daily hot water use guidelines come from the U.S. Department of Energy’s online calculator.